Meat processing method and apparatus

A method of operating an apparatus comprising:

• an automated analysis stage comprising:
• a radiation-shielded chamber,
• a tomography scanner with a scanner controller, and arranged to perform analysis of meat parts,
• a digital data processor linked with the scanner for processing scan data and providing outputs,
• a port for entry and exit of meat parts placed in carriers into and out of the chamber for analysis by the scanner, and
• a handling system for automated movement of the carriers between the port and the scanner, and
• a controller for the handling system;
• wherein the method comprising the steps of:
• placing anatomical meat parts in the carriers,
• controlling the handling system to convey the carriers into and through the port, to the scanner, into the scanner, out of the scanner, back to the port, and out of the port to exit the chamber,
• in which the anatomical meat parts are placed in the carriers in a stable manner, either as a full carcass or one or more parts of a larger carcass,
• wherein the meat parts are inspected automatically by an inspection station and a controller of the inspection station feeds forward data which is used by the scanner controller to control scanner operation according to meat part physical attributes,
• providing feedback data on meat quality determined by scanning, and
• routing said feedback data to suppliers,
• providing feedforward data to downstream processing stages for optimized boning and/or trimming.

A meat processing apparatus comprising an automated analysis stage comprising:

• a radiation-shielded chamber,
• a tomography scanner with a scanner controller, and arranged to perform analysis of meat parts,
• a digital data processor linked with the scanner for processing scan data and providing outputs,
• a port for entry and exit of meat parts placed in carriers into and out of the chamber for analysis by the scanner, and
• a handling system for automated movement of the carriers between the port and the scanner, and
• a controller for the handling system,
• wherein the controller is configured to provide feedback data on meat quality determined by scanning, and for routing said feedback data to suppliers;
• wherein the scanner controller is configured to provide feedforward data to downstream processing stages for optimized boning and/or trimming.

A meat processing apparatus comprising an automated analysis stage comprising:

• a radiation-shielded chamber,
• a tomography scanner with a scanner controller, and arranged to perform analysis of meat parts,
• a digital data processor linked with the scanner for processing scan data and providing outputs,
• a port for entry and exit of meat parts placed in carriers into and out of the chamber for analysis by the scanner, and
• a handling system for automated movement of the carriers between the port and the scanner, and a controller for the handling system,
• the handling system comprising a vertically movable platform which is movable between an upper position to receive a carrier from the robotic gripper and a lower position for delivery of the carrier into the port.